Marvel fans were in an uproar after the first trailer for Fantastic Four reboot dropped Thursday—unleashing a wave of backlash over what some are calling a ‘woke’ twist on the iconic Silver Surfer.
The beloved character—a cosmic herald for the planet-devouring Galactus—has traditionally been portrayed as male in both Marvel comics and on screen, with Doug Jones (voiced by Laurence Fishburne) taking on the role in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
Now, it’s Ozark and The Wolf Man star Julia Garner stepping into the intergalactic role, playing the Shalla-Bal incarnation of the Surfer, who makes her dramatic entrance in the new trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps.
‘Your planet has been marked for death,’ Garner’s Surfer sneers, facing off against the heroic foursome: Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach).
While some welcomed the reboot after 2015’s flop, the trailer sparked immediate outrage, with fans likening it to other polarizing reimaginings like the Snow White reboot.
‘Call me the friend that isn’t woke enough but I hate that Silver Surfer is a woman,’ one critic tweeted, as another piled on: ‘Silver Surfer is a dude. Disney don’t learn.’
Marvel fans were in an uproar after the first trailer for Fantastic Four reboot dropped Thursday—unleashing a wave of backlash over what some are calling a ‘ woke ‘ twist on the iconic Silver Surfer
Now, it’s Ozark and The Wolf Man star Julia Garner stepping into the intergalactic role, playing the Shalla-Bal incarnation of the Surfer, who makes her dramatic entrance in the new trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps
Now, it’s Ozark and The Wolf Man star Julia Garner stepping into the intergalactic role, playing the Shalla-Bal incarnation of the Surfer, who makes her dramatic entrance in the new trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps; (Pictured at the Golden Globes in LA in January)
The criticism kept coming, with another fan complaining, ‘Silver Surfer was a male in the movie, and the back story proved that. This movie is about to fail if wokeness is included in it. Fan bases like traditional stuff and no changes to comic history.’
Some were ready to ditch the film entirely.
‘The Fantastic Four is more M-She-U slop sex swapping the Silver Surfer, one of Marvel’s most iconic characters. Don’t buy this new narrative that woke is dead. They’re doing the SAME things at Disney Marvel. Boycott The Fantastic Four: First Steps,’ one user raged.
While defenders of the trailer pointed out that Marvel Comics has in fact depicted a female Silver Surfer in alternate storylines, angry fans weren’t buying it.
‘#FantasticFour is ruined they put a woman as SILVER SURFER WHY. I don’t care there’s an alternate universe that has one it was wack because it only lasted for 1 series!!! SILVER SURFER IS A MAN!!!!!!’ screamed one upset post.
Another fan posted a side-by-side comparison of Doug Jones’ 2007 portrayal and Julia Garner’s new version, captioning it, ‘Greatest downgrade of Silver Surfer ever in Fantastic Four.’
And in a comment that sparked even more debate, one user wrote: ‘How long will I have to wait until I see a white Black Panther? Serious question.’
However, this new version of the Silver Surfer isn’t holding back—she’s seen blasting through fiery explosions and effortlessly swatting away the Human Torch like he’s nothing in the trailer.
‘Your planet has been marked for death,’ Garner’s Surfer says, facing off against the heroic foursome: Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic ( Pedro Pascal ), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman ( Vanessa Kirby ), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)
While some welcomed the reboot after 2015’s flop , the trailer sparked immediate outrage, with fans likening it to other polarizing reimaginings like the Snow White reboot
While defenders of the trailer pointed out that Marvel Comics has in fact depicted a female Silver Surfer in alternate storylines, angry fans weren’t buying it
Another fan posted a side-by-side comparison of Doug Jones’ 2007 portrayal and Julia Garner’s new version, captioning it, ‘Greatest downgrade of Silver Surfer ever in Fantastic Four’
However, this new version of the Silver Surfer isn’t holding back—she’s seen blasting through fiery explosions and effortlessly swatting away the Human Torch like he’s nothing in the trailer
But while fans finally got a glimpse of the cosmic chaos, Marvel is still keeping Galactus under wraps
The trailer not only offers a first look at the new Silver Surfer but also reveals that Sue Storm is expecting a child with Reed Richards
Doug Jones (voiced by Laurence Fishburne) took on the role in 2007’s Fantastic Fou Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
But while fans finally got a glimpse of the cosmic chaos, Marvel is still keeping Galactus under wraps.
Fans get a shadowy shot of the planet-devouring giant stomping through a city, but his full MCU makeover remains a mystery.
According to the official synopsis, the film finds Marvel’s First Family at a breaking point.
‘As they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.
‘And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.’
Not only does the trailer unveil the new Silver Surfer, but it also confirms that Sue Storm is pregnant with Reed Richards’ child.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer may mark a bold new chapter for Marvel’s First Family—but judging by the uproar, it’s already shaping up to be one of the franchise’s most controversial.
